Dog Dies As Fire Destroys Toms River Home: Police

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A fire that destroyed a Monroe Avenue home killed one of the family's dogs and injured two firefighters, Toms River police said Monday afternoon.

The fire was reported about 6:45 a.m. Monday, said Jillian Messina, media relations specialist for the Toms River Police Department.

The home was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, she said, but the homeowners were not home. Fire companies from Toms River and surrounding towns battled the blaze, which damaged two vehicles and a neighboring home, Messina said.

Messina said the family has a second dog that remains missing.

The firefighters were treated for minor injuries, she said, and Toms River community service officers assisted with medical attention.

The Ocean County Sheriff's Office said response to the fire created traffic issues on Route 9 (also known as Lakewood Road in that part of Toms River) and West Whitty Road.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Detective Ryan Parente and Toms River Fire Inspector Rich Foster.

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